Foundation vows ‘iconic’ Pulse memorial
Group announces plans for club site
An “iconic, meaningful, national” memorial and ultimately a museum will stand on the Pulse nightclub property, where 49 people were massacred last year, the foundation planning a memorial said Thursday.
“Today, I’m able to share with you what I believe is news that will help in our mission of healing,” said Poma, who is the executive director and CEO of the one-PULSE Foundation. “It isn’t easy for me to stand on this site. What began as a place for fun and joy is now sacred ground.”
The announcement took place just outside the dark, boarded-up structure. Volunteers dressed as angels stood around the parking lot. Visitors were wanded by security guards as they entered a fenced area around the club. A choral group sang “Over the Rainbow” and “Bridge over Troubled Water.”
Poma made it clear that the process for designing
and shaping the memorial is just beginning. She said it would start with input from victims, their families and first responders to the tragedy. She acknowledged some might never want to visit the property.
Cost estimates and construction timelines were not discussed.
The foundation launched a new website with videos explaining the memorial planning process, with a pitch by Andy Cohen, the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show. The website will also gather feedback regarding memorial options at some point.
“This memorial will be designed as a place to grieve, to honor lives lost and saved, as well as to serve as a place to heal and learn,” Cohen said in the video message.
The memorial effort will be led by a board of trustees, including Walt Disney World president George Kalogridis; Jason Felts, CEO of film company Virgin Produced; and entertainer Lance Bass. The board will be led by Orlando attorney Earl Crittenden of GrayRobinson.
Although some had talked about reopening the club, that is not what the memorial will be, according to Felts.
“This project is not about replacing a building or a fun hangout for the gay community,” Felts said at the announcement. “This project is about healing Central Florida, the GLBT community, the Latino community.”
Miami artist Jefre Manuel was identified as the design consultant for the onePULSE Foundation and head of the design committee. Sara Brady, spokeswoman for onePULSE, said a designer for the final plan hasn’t been chosen yet. Known by his first name, Jefre has been a presence in Orlando because of his work on public art installations at Lake Nona, the Code Wall and Beacon.
The memorial and eventual museum will mark the site of the June 12 attack, the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Pulse was an LGBT club, and the shooting took place early on a Sunday morning as Latin Night was winding down.
The entire area around Pulse, 1912 S. Orange Ave., was a crime scene for a week after the attack. But when the street reopened, the vacant black building quickly became a magnet for grief, vigils, flowers, artwork and impromptu memorials. Even now, more than 10 months later, people still visit daily.
Poma said the board of directors will ultimately decide what happens to the property, including whether or not the current building is demolished. She said the foundation is prepared for disagreements and difficulty in the planning process.
The building is a painful reminder to some who were there that night, including India Godman of Orlando. She stood just outside the fence after the announcement Thursday. She recalled being so close to the flying bullets that she tasted gunpowder.
“This is a second home. It’s a very emotional moment,” Godman said. “I’m very grateful for where we are today. It’s a bittersweet feeling because we sympathize with the victims’ families.” Godman said she thought the building should be demolished because it is a reminder of the horror that occurred there.
“Reconstruct it and do something completely different, so that it doesn’t show … I would say keep the sign and tear down the building,” Godman said.
Poma has been saying she wants a memorial at the site since the day after the shooting. Poma has said she founded the 12-year-old nightclub in memory of her brother John, who died of HIV/AIDS.
In recent months, she has been traveling to the sites of other mass shooting memorials with Jefre.
“You learn what that community wants you to feel,” Poma said. “Do they want you to remember? Do they want you to feel loss? Do they want you to grieve?”
At one point last year, Poma had decided to sell the building to the city, but she changed her mind and launched the private foundation instead. On Thursday, she said having private ownership will mean the memorial reflects exactly what the foundation wants.
Poma previously announced the anniversary will include two events on the nightclub property, as part of Orlando United Day. That will include a midday ceremony featuring community speakers and music, and another gathering from 10 p.m. to midnight.
The foundation has been raising money, intended to support construction and maintenance of a memorial, community grants to care for the survivors and victims’ families, endowed scholarships for each of the 49 victims and “ultimately a museum showcasing historic artifacts and stories from the event.”